New bus service for Bristol Airport
BRISTOL Airport has been given another boost with the news that there is to be a new direct bus link to Lulsgate.
It has emerged that a direct bus link between the airport and Bath is being launched in the coming weeks.
The news comes a few days after it was announced that direct buses will travel to the airport from Cardiff and Swansea.
Both announcements are being seen as a major boost for the airport which last year had just under six million passengers pass through its terminals.
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The direct link to South Wales is being seen as a direct victory over rivals at Cardiff Airport where passenger numbers have plummeted in recent years.
And it is hoped that the new service to Bath will attract more customers from the city and surrounding area. In the past people living to the east of Lulsgate have tended to travel to London airports rather than the North Somerset airport.
The new direct service will link the airport with the centre of Bath and is being launched in March. The service is being operated by Bath Bus Company and was announced at the Bath Tourism Plus's (BTP) annual forum.
The service is being run by the Bath Bus Company which is best known for its bright red tourist buses which operate in the World Heritage city.
Managing director Martin Curtis said the service will operate with double-deckers in a traditional green livery the original colours of Bath's buses.
The new service will see buses operating through South Bristol, Keynsham and Saltford amd will get passengers from Bath to Bristol in just under an hour.
Mr Curtis said: "It is a commercial service. Prices will be competitive and in line with other transport providers."
The news came as regional airline Flybe announced it is planning to cut about 300 jobs as part of a drive to return the carrier to profitability over the next 12 months.
The airline, which has one of its main bases in Bristol, said the cuts would lower UK staff numbers by 10 per cent, reducing costs by £35 million a year.
Flybe added that it did not expect to make "significant" changes to the number of its UK bases or route network, but it did add that it would be reviewing its network over the coming year.
The airline reported a loss of £1.3 million in the six months to the end of September compared with a profit of £14.3 million over the The airline said consultation with affected staff and their trade unions would start immediately.
Flybe chairman and chief executive Jim French said: "I am extremely disappointed that many valued and hard-working colleagues may have to leave the organisation. We will make every effort to minimise the impact and to offer support wherever possible in the transition."
4 Comments
by markmaggs9391
Wednesday, January 23 2013, 2:20PM
“Ultimately Flybe doesn't matter to Bristol, Exeter yes Bristol no! They already pulled out of Bristol when they took over BA Connect (with next to no warning). But at last Bristol Airport is starting to get better transport links. Just might be good for one of the long distance coach operators to start service to the Midlands, London and South direct to the Airport. There is one late night National Express service but would be good if it was all day. Then once development is done it will hopefully put Bristol in a very good position. Does anyone know how close to capacity Bristol Airport currently is? Obviously a longer runway would do wonders for Bristol but I can't see that happening anytime soon.”
by Cptn_Pugwash
Wednesday, January 23 2013, 2:07PM
“Bus? No thanks.
An hour between Bath & Bristol? Joking. It's 12 minutes on the train!
(I assume the report is mis-written and they mean it will take 1 hour between Bath Bus Station and Bristol Airport?)”
by FromMendip
Wednesday, January 23 2013, 1:24PM
“"The news came as regional airline Flybe announced it is planning to cut about 300 jobs as part of a drive to return the carrier to profitability over the next 12 months.
The airline, which has one of its main bases in Bristol, said the cuts would lower UK staff numbers by 10 per cent, reducing costs by £35 million a year."
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Yet more nonsense from the Post about the local aviation scene.
First, Bristol Airport is not a Flybe base.
Second, it's presence at Bristol Airport is minimal. Using aircraft from other bases it operates a three times a week summer service to the Isle of Man and an up to five times a week service to Jersey (Blue Islands is the main Jersey carrier operating twice daily). That's it.
As for the Bath bus service, it's good news - I hope it succeeds.”
by Lanata
Wednesday, January 23 2013, 10:27AM
“I appreciate it's not First running this new service but it's about time these bus companies concentrate on providing a good service on the routes they currently run and not be so keen to start new ones up.
The new X18 (First) and 13 (Wessex) that now runs through Filton to Emersons Green/Willowbrook respectively have hardly been advertised and while I've waited for their very delayed more established services 18 (First) and 501/502 (Wessex) to Stoke Gifford these buses go by either consistently empty or only 1-2 passengers.
Come on Wessex/First - your services through Filton to Stoke Gifford and beyond have become a complete joke - please sort it out, make them more reliable and more frequent during morning/evening rush hour. You are losing a lot of disgruntled customers - but some of us do not have a choice but to use these services, make them better.”